Jer 50:2, 51:44, 52 | JFB | STEP | 2. Declare . . . among . . . nations —who would rejoice at the fall of Babylon their oppressor. standard —to indicate the place of meeting to the nations where they were to hear the good news of Babylon's fall [ROSENMULLER ]; or, the signal to summon the nations together against Babylon ( ), [MAURER ]. Bel —the tutelary god of Babylon; the same idol as the Ph nician Baal, that is, lord, the sun ( ). confounded —because unable to defend the city under their protection. Merodach —another Babylonian idol; meaning in Syria "little lord"; from which Merodach-baladan took his name.

Jeremiah 50:2

2. Declare . . . among . . . nations—who would rejoice at the fall of Babylon their oppressor.

standard—to indicate the place of meeting to the nations where they were to hear the good news of Babylon's fall [ROSENMULLER]; or, the signal to summon the nations together against Babylon (Jer 51:12, 27), [MAURER].

Bel—the tutelary god of Babylon; the same idol as the Ph nician Baal, that is, lord, the sun (Isa 46:1).

confounded—because unable to defend the city under their protection.

Merodach—another Babylonian idol; meaning in Syria "little lord"; from which Merodach-baladan took his name.

Jeremiah 51:44

44. Bel . . . swallowed—in allusion to the many sacrifices to the idol which its priests pretended it swallowed at night; or rather, the precious gifts taken from other nations and offered to it (which it is said to have "swallowed"; compare "devoured," "swallowed," Jer 51:34; Jer 50:17), which it should have to disgorge (compare Jer 51:13; Jer 50:37). Of these gifts were the vessels of Jehovah's temple in Jerusalem (2Ch 36:7; Da 1:2). The restoration of these, as foretold here, is recorded in Ezr 1:7-11.

flow—as a river; fitly depicting the influx of pilgrims of all "nations" to the idol.

Jeremiah 51:52

52. Wherefore—because of these sighs of the Jews directed to God (Jer 51:21).

I . . . judgment upon . . . images—in opposition to the Babylonian taunt that Jehovah's religion was a thing of naught, since they had burned His temple (Jer 51:51): I will show that, though I have thus visited the Jews neglect of Me, yet those gods of Babylon cannot save themselves, much less their votaries, who shall "through all her land" lie and "groan" with wounds.